Breaking the Myth: Why Owning a Firearm Isn't 'Living in Fear'

When I first began sharing my gun-owning journey online, I quickly encountered judgment. Some people accused me of "living in fear" for choosing to arm myself. It was a harsh reality to face, especially coming from individuals who didn’t truly understand why I made the decision. But what really stood out to me when I first became a gun owner was the response I received from my own parents. Out of love and concern, they tried to dissuade me from carrying a firearm.

They worried that a "sweet, little 5'3” me" might become too emboldened by the power of a gun—that somehow, it would make me feel like I was "big and bad." I remember reassuring them that wasn’t the case at all. I told them that I would always be safe and responsible with my firearm. It wasn’t about gaining power or feeling invincible—it was about being prepared and empowered to protect myself.

As time has gone on, I’ve realized that their concerns, while coming from a place of love, stemmed from a misunderstanding of what it really means to be prepared. Becoming a gun owner hasn’t made me reckless or quick to violence. In fact, it’s made me more cautious, more aware, and more responsible. I’m not looking for conflict. What I want is peace of mind—the ability to protect myself if the need ever arises, but also the awareness and responsibility to avoid conflict in the first place.

There’s a common misconception that preparedness is somehow linked to fear—that being ready for an emergency or taking steps to protect yourself makes you paranoid or living in constant fright. But taking steps to prepare for potential risks in life is not about fear—it’s about self-care.

"Preparation" may not just look like carrying a firearm. It could include things like keeping a first aid kit in your car or a fire extinguisher at home. Maybe you’ve got a bug-out bag stashed away in your closet or extra food in your deep freezer. Even filling up your gas tank regularly before it gets to E—all of these are forms of preparedness, and none of them have anything to do with living in fear. They’re about creating peace of mind and making sure that when the unexpected happens, you're ready to face it head-on.

So, why does preparing yourself become so heavily scrutinized when it comes to firearms? The same people who would tell you it’s irresponsible to carry a gun would likely never blink an eye at someone carrying a first aid kit or fire extinguisher. Both are tools for safety, just in different forms.

Being prepared doesn’t make you paranoid—it makes you competent. It’s about being able to take care of yourself, your loved ones, and those around you when life throws a curveball. It’s knowing that you’ve done everything you can to mitigate risks and protect the things that matter most to you.

Preparedness is not fear—it’s strength and responsibility.

I’ve learned that the people who criticize preparedness, or label it as “living in fear,” are often the ones who lack the real-world experience or knowledge to understand the value of being ready for anything. It’s easy to dismiss what we don’t understand or feel threatened by, but what’s truly empowering is being confident in your own ability to handle the unknown.

So if you're someone who’s thinking about taking steps to be more prepared, whether that’s through owning a firearm or simply making sure you’ve got the essentials covered, don’t let anyone make you feel guilty about it. You’re not living in fear. You’re living with foresight, awareness, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re ready for whatever comes your way.

Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and relaxation—it’s about taking proactive steps to make sure you can protect and care for yourself, your family, and your community when the need arises. And that’s something to be proud of, not ashamed of.

So let go of the guilt. Choose preparedness. Choose strength. Choose to take care of yourself in ways that matter, because no one else is going to do it for you. And if that means carrying a firearm or putting other systems in place, then do it. Trust yourself, trust your instincts, and move forward with confidence.